In-beam PET for FLASH proton therapy monitoring

This technology uses PET imaging to visualize and measure radiation doses from a FLASH proton beam, a new type of radiation therapy, in real-time.

Background

Proton therapy, a cornerstone of radiation oncology, holds immense potential for precise cancer treatment. While advances in accelerator technology and treatment planning have been significant, the real-time monitoring and assessment of radiation dose delivery during treatment remain areas for improvement. This hinders the full realization of proton therapy’s benefits, especially in the context of emerging treatment modalities like FLASH therapy.

Current approaches for monitoring proton therapy, such as conventional dosimetry and imaging techniques, fall short in addressing the unique challenges posed by FLASH proton beams. These beams deliver ultra-high radiation doses within extremely short timeframes (milliseconds), making it difficult to accurately measure and visualize the dose deposition in real-time. This inability to precisely monitor FLASH treatments raises concerns about potential damage to healthy tissues and the effectiveness of tumor eradication.

Additionally, the biological mechanisms underlying the FLASH effect, where healthy tissues exhibit greater resilience to radiation damage compared to cancerous cells, remain poorly understood. This lack of clarity further underscores the need for advanced monitoring and imaging techniques capable of providing real-time feedback during FLASH proton therapy.

Technology description

This technology utilizes Positron-Emission Tomography (PET) imaging and dosimetry to study a FLASH proton beam, a novel radiation therapy approach. The setup includes two scintillating LYSO crystal arrays that capture a partial view of a cylindrical phantom irradiated by the proton beam. The high-intensity proton beam, with a kinetic energy of 75.8 MeV, delivers radiation over extremely short bursts. The radiation environment is monitored using specialized counters. This setup enables real-time functional imaging, potentially enhancing the monitoring and assessment of FLASH proton therapy by providing insights into the radiation dose distribution.

This technology is differentiated by its use of PET technology to record FLASH beam events, providing quantitative imaging and dosimetry of beam-activated isotopes in the phantom. This real-time functional imaging capability offers a significant advancement over traditional methods that rely on evaluating organ functionality as a binary response to radiation.

By providing spatial and temporal information about the radiation dose, this technology allows for a more nuanced understanding of how FLASH therapy affects different regions within an organ. This detailed insight is crucial for optimizing FLASH therapy and maximizing its potential to protect healthy tissues while effectively targeting cancer cells.

Benefits

Real-time functional imaging of FLASH proton therapy, potentially improving monitoring and assessment of treatment progress
Provides insights into the spatial and temporal distribution of the radiation dose during FLASH proton therapy
Offers a way to study how FLASH radiation affects different regions within an organ and why
Leads to a better understanding of the FLASH effect, which differentially protects healthy tissues over cancer cells
Set to improve the accuracy and related functional imaging efficacy of proton radiation therapy